Reaper plastic CAV minis are out

[Legionnaire Bert]

I have always loved the look of mechs, I own one of the numerous versions of Battletech but have never played it! I played my mate's edition a couple of times in the 80s and quite enjoyed it.

I am intrigued by CAV, and I do like the range of plastics - especially the price

I'm curious - roughly how tall are these Reaper mechs? I know they're 10mm scale, I think, but not sure what that works out to in actual robot height.

I am very tempted to check this game out - if I can persuade anyone to play it!

[Calimero]

Not much interested in the giant robot thing either but, at first, I would have liked to buy some cheap ground vehicles and planes/dropship/fighters but these “smaller” models seem pretty awful in Bones material…

[eilif]

I am intrigued by CAV, and I do like the range of plastics - especially the price

I'm curious - roughly how tall are these Reaper mechs? I know they're 10mm scale, I think, but not sure what that works out to in actual robot height.

I've read a few reviews that say between 45 and 55mm. 

I've got a few of the metal CAVs but they're packed away right now.   The range is pretty big so I'm sure there are exceptions, and I know some units have been re-sized in Bones.  However, my feeling was that they'd be good Heavy and Assault Mechs in Classic Battletech and if using them with 10mm Mechwarrior clix -as I plan to- they tend to work as light and medium units.  Personally, I think that's a good thing as my collection of Mechwarrior clix seems to not have as much variety at the lower end of the scale.

I picked up the original CAV rulebook and the two "Journals of Recognition" but could never get the group intersted enough to try.  I haven't got the interest anymore.  Now if I field any CAV's, it will be in games of Mech Attack or Alpha Strike which we play in 10mm with rebased Clicky mechs.

[stone-cold-lead]

Some of the CAV mechs look quite nice but everything looks rather soft in bones plastic. I wasn't impressed with the few fantasy models I've painted in that material. Bargain price but you get what you pay for!

[Hobby Services]

Some of the CAV mechs look quite nice but everything looks rather soft in bones plastic. I wasn't impressed with the few fantasy models I've painted in that material. Bargain price but you get what you pay for!

Disagree.  I've painted lots of Bones fantasy stuff, and there are many sculpts that are as good or better in plastic than in metal.  You get far more than you pay for in many cases, especially with larger than man-sized models where the material really works best.  For ex, I've done these models in both metal and plastic and the plastic was identical in casting quality and easier to work with:





Also much simpler to kitbash than metal ever was, and the lower price makes it economical to do so with:

[wolfgangbrooks]

I got turned off them by the tendency to stay sticky for weeks after priming even with supposedly safe sprays, and then becoming sticky again months after varnishing. Not to mention the soft detail on many of the early ones and the bent swords/figures that no amount of hot water treatment will keep straight. You need that modability because so many aren't usable straight out of the package. Then there's the problems cleaning mold lines...

Maybe they've ironed out the formulas, but I'd never buy sight-unseen and all the other problems I've had with the material have kept me from working on the stuff I do have.

[beefcake]

I love the bones range but don't think I'd go near the CAV stuff with a 20' barge pole. I have a lot of bones, no CAV ones though so am assuming that they are the exact same materials to the same formula but Bones is just too bendy and the amount of deformed pieces, even on weapons of giants etc, makes me think that the gun barrels of these will come out very askew. And with something that is meant to be mechanical, even a slight bend/kink will look strange.
@Scurv I think taking the "s" off the "https" in the youtube link will make it show as a clip on your post. Learned that from someone here.

[Legionnaire Bert]

I've read a few reviews that say between 45 and 55mm. 

Many thanks Eilif!

I am having a few reservations about using Reaper for mechs now, as I agree with a few other people that the bendy factor could be an issue. I checked out the CAV range on eBay last night and it was obvious even from the pictures on there that they look prone to bending - not good! Agree with the comment that you get what you pay for.

That mech itch needs to be scratched now - the Battletech 25th anniversary starter set seems to be the one, if I can generate any oponents form amongst my lot that is!

[Legionnaire Bert]

Disagree.  I've painted lots of Bones fantasy stuff, and there are many sculpts that are as good or better in plastic than in metal.  You get far more than you pay for in many cases, especially with larger than man-sized models where the material really works best. 

Lovely work! 

[eilif]

Many thanks Eilif!

I am having a few reservations about using Reaper for mechs now, as I agree with a few other people that the bendy factor could be an issue. I checked out the CAV range on eBay last night and it was obvious even from the pictures on there that they look prone to bending - not good! Agree with the comment that you get what you pay for.

That mech itch needs to be scratched now - the Battletech 25th anniversary starter set seems to be the one, if I can generate any oponents form amongst my lot that is!

It's a fair concern, but I've had tons of fun with Mechwarrior clix which are made of a very smilar material.

I've had good and bad experiences with Bones.  However, my only really bad figs were first gen bones that had some soft details. I've heard that the formulation has been improved and depending on how the CAV bones look at my FLGS, I'd definitely be willing to buy some bones mecha.

The 25th aniversary starter is an unbeatable deal however, especially since they improved their molds which made the figs in the box alot better. 

As for Bones in general, you simply have to:
-Clean before use
-NOT use spray paints (use gesso or other brush on)
-Use a brush-on varnish. (I've cheated on this a few times...)

Especially with larger models, I'm more than willing to follow those simple instructions if it means I'm getting great big minis at a very small price.  As for small ones, I mostly stick to plastic and metal, but that has more to do with the affordability of used minis than bones problems.